Archive for May, 2010

ForeWord Reviews (a leading independent book reviewer) has given a glowing review to Wild West 2.0. We couldn’t be more proud to get a positive review from a source like ForeWord.

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Here’s what they had to say:

“One of the intriguing and, in some cases, disturbing aspects of “Web 2.0” is the ability for anyone anywhere to damage the reputation of a person or company, simply by posting disparaging information on the Internet. The rise in popularity of social networks has led to the widespread availability of personal information, making matters even worse.

WILD WEST 2.0, whose title re-interprets World Wide Web 2.0, is a timely book that both explains how online reputation-bashing occurs and offers strategies to defend against it. Authors Fertik and Thompson, experts in the field of online privacy, spend a good deal of time discussing the “new digital frontier,” demonstrating its many similarities to the “Wild West” of a bygone era. They discuss the vulnerability associated with an “online reputation” and detail the impact of “anonymous cowards” as well as “the damage done by search engines” such as Google.

The authors make the important point that anyone can create and post content on the Internet, creating an environment in which “everyone is equal.” In addition, once information is posted, it is virtually impossible to retract it, so it could very well remain on the Internet indefinitely. The implications of this are chilling, especially if that information is designed to damage the reputation of a person or a business.

One of the more interesting chapters, “Types of Internet Attacks,” outlines what to guard against, such as “the half-truth,” “the breach of privacy,” “Googlestuffing,” and “E-Mobbing.” Simply being able to recognize and have a broad understanding of these attacks makes the book valuable to any business reader.

Fertik and Thompson also provide sensible advice about assessing any damage to one’s reputation online. They offer two highly useful tools: a “reputation road map” and an “online reputation audit.” Examples and detailed instructions are included for each.

The final few chapters in the book cover proactive strategies for “recovering from online smears” and tactics for protecting an individual or business from harm in the future.

The advice provided by the authors is both informed and wise, and it is supported by compelling facts and specific examples. The book is easy to read and written in everyday language, so it will be useful to even a non-technical reader. WILD WEST 2.0 is essential reading for professionals, business owners, and other individuals who need to understand how the Internet can be used to tarnish a reputation—and how to effectively protect against it. (June)”

Thanks for the incredible outpouring of support. This afternoon, Amazon’s “copies left in stock” calculation counted down from 3, to 2, to 1, to 0! The book has been so popular before its official launch that Amazon’s distribution center couldn’t keep up.

It looks like Amazon has switched to another distribution center for the book and has a fresh supply of copies. But get yours now; Amazon could sell out again at any moment.

Thanks again to all our readers for their support and excitement. We never thought it would be possible to sell out Amazon of copies of the book, but somehow it happened today! Amazing!

Our first e-tailer review is in! Five stars and called a “solid, useful manual for protecting your good name online.”

Other highlights include that “Reputation management consultants Michael Fertik and David Thompson examine these fraudulent activities and more in this disturbing but timely book, and they outline steps you can take to protect your online reputation or the good name of your business.”